FLORENCE, Ky. — A 16-year-old entrepreneur who took her love of candy into a viral business on TikTok is celebrating the anniversary of her storefront and growth across the country.
From prep to packaging, Aubrie Sink said she has loved watching her business grow. What started out as a small business in Florence has expanded nationally, with Sink's goods being sold in theme parks in 11 states. Now, she’s celebrating one year.
For this occasion, she featured freeze-dried birthday cake, sending samples to anyone who recently placed an order or visited her store.
Getting here started four years ago, when Sink saw a viral TikTok of freeze-dried candy and decided to make her own. But as quickly as her career began, her health would take a toll.
Sink said she had a condition called Arnold Chiari Malformation. It's where the brain is abnormally small or misshapen, forcing tissue to extend into the spinal canal, causing migraines and pains. Sink has had three surgeries in her life, with one occurring just last year.
Despite the adversity, she said she’s moving forward.
"It's just been a little hard along the way, trying to just get everything back in the swing while I'm also trying to keep things moving and going," Sink said.
With the help of a 25-person team, Aubrie’s mother, Cristina, said she couldn’t be prouder of her daughter’s success.
“It's really fun to be able to watch her grow and the company and then also her persevering from her background with having brain surgery," Cristina said. "But she's doing super well in school with college ... I'm really, really proud of her."
With one year under her belt, healed from her surgeries and headed to college early, Sink said she thinks things can only get better.
"Cheers to one year of having my store," Sink said as she excitedly popped a confetti cannon.